Honey Nut Cheerios & Health?
The other day, I was chatting with a former investment partner of mine. He’s a brilliant guy and works as a software engineer. He’s made a lot of money in his young life, and moved ahead in his career despite some odds against him. 
Towards the end of our conversation, he said he wanted some advice on fitness. He said he wants to start running 3-5 miles a day to lose some weight and get in shape. I mentioned that it’s going to be more about diet & nutrition than how much exercise he can squeeze in.
So he says: “Well, I try to eat pretty healthy.”
I ask: “What kinds of things do you eat?”
And he replies: “I usually start out the day with a bowl of Honey-Nut Cheerios…do you think that’s good?”
Let’s look at why he would think this is a healthy way to eat. Here are the claims Cheerios makes on their site, and my debunking comments:
“13 Vitamins & Minerals
Contains “good source” (at least 10% of the Daily Value per serving) of the number of vitamins & minerals indicated.”
Wow! 10%! Seriously? I can’t even believe they are bragging about this!
“Low fat
Contains 3 grams or less of fat per serving or per 50 grams if serving size is 30 grams or less.”
Why is low fat a good thing? Oh, because this USRDA says so! Sorry, this is yet another strike against Cheerios.
“Good source of calcium
Contains at least 10% of the Daily Value of calcium per serving.”
Another whopping 10%. And why is getting this calcium good in the first place? We should be more focused on a balanced magnesium/calcium ratio instead of just looking at one side of the story.
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“Made with whole grain
Contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving. U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend eating at least 48 grams of whole grain per day.”
Oh boy, WHOLE grains! There’s that all-knowing USRDA again, giving out horrible advice that will go further in making us sick than healthy!
“Helps reduce the risk of heart disease
Product may reduce the risk of heart disease as part of a heart-healthy diet.”
The key where they cover their asses is that last part of the statement “..as part of a heart-healthy diet.” And it MAY help. No studies showing this to be true. Deceptive claim at the least!
“Can help lower cholesterol*
Product can help lower cholesterol as part of a heart-healthy diet.
”
Same as above. Can it? Or not? And which kind of cholesterol is it lowering?
This commercial is part of the Honey Nut Cheerios propaganda that’s fooling millions of people.
“Excellent source of iron
Contains at least 20% of the Daily Value of iron per serving.”
Let’s see, where else can we get far more iron per serving. Meat! No need for processed crap if you are after iron.
Well I could go on and on, but the bottom line is, Cheerios are simply fake food, and not meant for human consumption. It’s too bad that so many people fall for this idea that because something has the American Heart Association’s stamp of approval and the full endorsement of the government that it must be good!
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